Kimball board agrees to fund FFA food-science team’s national trip; costs and contingencies remain

Kimball Public Schools administrators told the board that the district’s food-science FFA team won the state competition and qualified for nationals in October. Because the qualifying team members have since graduated, the board discussed whether to fund travel for participants who would no longer be district students at the time of the national contest.

Administration recommended funding the team as representatives of KPS while building in protections: parental cosignatures on reimbursement agreements, trip insurance where feasible, and a requirement that students who back out reimburse costs incurred in nonrefundable travel and registration. Administration estimated a minimum cost of about $5,000 and suggested the full trip could reach closer to $10,000 when flights, lodging, meals and ground transport are included.

“We’d be liable for the expenses incurred, which would be your plane ticket, registration and so forth,” administration said, urging parents to cosign agreements because many graduating seniors may not have the resources to pay substantial travel costs.

Board members noted precedent questions around paying for post‑graduation awards and discussed alternatives such as alumni scholarships or fundraisers. Several members argued the team won as representatives of Kimball and that the district should support them. Administration said the activities fund would be the likely source and that they would explore trip insurance and potential alternates.

The board indicated it would fund the team using activities funds and directed administration to return with formal agreements, cost estimates and any proposed insurance or contingency plans.